STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

The group's research activity aims to study the changes that occur in elements of the endocannabinoid system in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia and spinocerebellar ataxias and more recently in refractory childhood epilepsies (Dravet syndrome), using both experimental models (cell or in vivo) and patient samples. Our aim is to identify targets of this system that can likely be used for neuroprotective treatments and to study the molecular and/or cellular mechanisms through which these effects are modulated. From this, we will attempt to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of different types of cannabinoids in disease animal models, preferably antioxidant cannabinoids, CB2 agonists and cannabinoids with PPAR activity. We will also study the design and biological evaluation of new types of cannabinoid molecules with selectivity for targets with neuroprotective potential. The final objective is to participate in clinical studies derived from the preclinical experimentation via the analysis of biochemical markers in patient samples.

RESEARCH LINES

• Relationship of the endocannabinoid system with the pathogenesis and treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases.
• Identification of targets of this system with neuroprotective potential and the development of new selective molecules for these targets.
• Application of different neurodegenerative diseases to cell and animal models.
• Participation in clinical studies with cannabinoid drugs